Hersey sets course for China

Kathleen Szmit

Thursday

Apr 24, 2008 at 2:00 AMApr 24, 2008 at 11:00 PM

Michael Hersey’s sailing career has taken him across many waters, and next week it will take him to sail in the waters off Qingdao (Chin-dow), China, where he will participate in the International Federation of Disabled Sailors International Regatta.Michael Hersey’s sailing career has taken him across many waters, and next week it will take him to sail in the waters off Qingdao (Chin-dow), China, where he will participate in the International Federation of Disabled Sailors International Regatta.

Kathleen Szmit photo

SAILING EAST – Hyannis resident and competitive disabled sailor Michael Hersey will travel to China next week to compete in the International Federation of Disabled Sailors International Regatta in Qingdao, China.

Hyannis mate to set sail in international disabled sailing regatta

Michael Hersey’s sailing career has taken him across many waters, and next week it will take him to sail in the waters off Qingdao (Chin-dow), China, where he will participate in the International Federation of Disabled Sailors International Regatta.

For eight days, Hersey, a Barnstable attorney, and teammates Paul Callahan and Roger Cleworth will compete with disabled sailors from around the world in one of the top events held by the IFSD.

Hersey got his start sailing on the waters of Lake Wequaquet. “I started as a kid sailing sunfish,” he said. As he grew older, he progressed to become a sailing instructor at the lake before becoming a member of the Mass Maritime Academy’s collegiate sailing team.

In 1985, however, his sporting career nearly came to an end after a serious car accident on Old Stage Road.

“They say that accidents are most likely to happen closer to your house,” he said. “I was a mile from home.”

Hersey suffered spinal damage that was classified by doctors as an incomplete spinal cord injury. While Hersey’s back was considered broken, he was not paralyzed. Instead he lost the functionality of one leg, on which he wears a brace. For a man used to an active lifestyle – he lettered in baseball, basketball and football in high school – finding himself wheelchair-bound during his long recovery was traumatic. “I was in the hospital for six months,” he said.

Through his work with Joe Carroll at Cape Cod Rehabilitation, Hersey eventually returned to college and to work. He also returned to sailing.

“Sailing has always been something I loved,” he said. “I enjoy boats and love being out on the water.”

Because there is no disabled sailing on Cape Cod, Hersey traveled to Boston and Providence to hone his skills. Although his disability altered his sailing style, it did not limit his abilities on the water.

“Once you get in the boat and are sitting down, it’s easy,” he said. “I can move side to side. Technically it’s something I’m still good at. I’m just less mobile.”

In the China races Hersey and his teammates will sail a 23-foot Sonar, on which Hersey will serve as jib trimmer and tactician.

In disabled sailing, crew members are ranked based on their level of disability, one being most severe, six being least. Hersey is a 6, as is teammate Cleworth, a double-leg amputee. Callahan, however, is a one, and is a sailor Hersey has great respect and admiration for.

“He’s a quadriplegic,” said Hersey, explaining that Callahan uses a specially-designed wheelchair bolted onto the boat floor during races and drives the boat using a hand-pedaled bicycle-like device.

“Everyone involved with disabled sailing is not a complacent person,” said Hersey. “There is a desire to compete on any level.

It is that desire to compete, coupled with an excitement at the opportunity to visit China, that motivated Hersey to get on board in spite of the cost. While a portion of the trip was paid for by sponsors including CVS Pharmacy, Hersey’s out-of-pocket expenses will total nearly $3,000. As a result he has been attempting to raise money through the non-profit Sailfast Fund.

He also hopes to raise awareness about disabled sailing by sharing his China journey with others.

“I don’t think people on the Cape have any idea that this level of competitive sailing goes on,” he said.

Hersey, who sails with wife Barbara and their two children, Matthew and Joshua, out of Hyannis Yacht Club, would love to see disabled sailing come to this area, an idea he has begun discussing with the Town of Barnstable.

“It has phenomenal rehabilitation and recreation value,” he said. “You take someone in a [specially designed boat] and off they go sailing. A lot of people on disabled teams regularly sail against able-bodied competitors.”

While Hersey does sail casually with his family, he truly loves competition and is already counting the days until he departs for Qingdao.

“I’ve always been a competitive sailor,” he said. “It’s China. It’s disabled sailing. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to go.”

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